May 2010
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Nick Hurd started his new job yesterday at the forefront of the Government’s “Big Society” which will give charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations a greater role in the provision of community services.

Talking about his new role as Minister for Civil Society, he said:
“The sector is a very important part of our plans to create a stronger sense of society in Britain. I have been shadow minister for 15 months so I am delighted at the chance to put our ideas into action. The government will help unlock the potential for the sector to improve more lives."

He added: “The voluntary sector makes a huge contribution to our community in Hillingdon and Harrow, so I really look forward to the opportunity to do what I can in government to make life easier for people running these amazing organisations.”

Nick Hurd will be the minister responsible for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in the Cabinet Office, following an announcement today by the Prime Minister’s office. He will be known as the Minister for Civil Society.

Speaking to Cabinet Office staff, Nick Hurd, alongside the Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, has announced that Government policy will focus on three fundamental issues:

Making it easier to run a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation

Getting more resources into the sector: strengthening its independence and resilience

Making it easier for sector organisations to work with the State

Nick Hurd, (now former) Minister for Civil Society, said:
“This Government values the economic and social contribution of Britain’s charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations, and the extraordinary work individual people do to improve the lives of others and of the most disadvantaged.

“It is the sector’s commitment and ability to support and mobilise people across the country that puts it at the very centre of our mission to deliver better public services and build the Big Society.

“We are committed to bringing a clear vision to the sector that will mean charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations are easier to run and not overwhelmed by interference and bureaucracy.”

Nick Hurd has welcomed the decision of the new coalition government to scrap plans to build a third runway at Heathrow.

He said:
“I am delighted that one of the first moves by the new government was to cancel plans for a third runway at Heathrow. A third runway would have been bad for the environment and bad for Hillingdon. We need a better Heathrow not a bigger one.”